Tennis: Rafael Matos wins first Brazilian title at a Rio Open – News of Brazil
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The last day of the ATP 500 on Rio de Janeiro became history in Brazilian tennis. Under intense heat, Rafael Matos from Rio Grande do Sul was the first Brazilian representative to celebrate a title on clay at the Rio Open, the biggest tournament of the sport in South America. The Gaucho and Colombian Nicolas Barrientos dictated the pace of the game last Sunday ( 25) and beat the Austrian duo formed by Alexander Erler and Lucas Miedler by 2 sets to 0 (6/4 and 6/3).
A curious fact about the champion duo is that Rafael Matos and Nicolas Barrientos won their first title together. It took a while, but the fans celebrated. The disappointment of the elimination of the three other Brazilians in the singles did not keep tennis lovers away. Rocked by Salgueiro’s samba, the duo received the prize at the 10th edition of the Rio Open.
Before the little yellow ball bounced on the Guga Kuerten court in the singles final, singer and composer Seu Jorge sang the national anthem. The Argentine final saw the victory of the tournament’s number five seed Sebastian Baez. He got the better of compatriot Mariano Navone, closing the game in 2 sets to 0. Baez leaves the Rio Open with the biggest title of his career. Furthermore, he became the sixth representative from his country to celebrate an ATP 500 title, the second in the Rio stage.
With the trophy in hand, Baez thanked his team, his opponents and the public at the Rio Open, and also said to the Portuguese: “I want to say thank you very much, guys! I love Brazil”. Navone lost the final on the court, but experienced curious moments in the tournament. After suffering xenophobic attacks from a small part of the fans in the game in which he defeated Brazilian João Fonseca, the Argentine became the fans’ favorite in the decision. It can be said that Navone was an attraction at the Rio Open. It is also worth remembering that the Argentine started in qualifying and reached the final.
However, one thing is certain, a moment will remain in the memory of the two Argentine finalists. They had the pleasure of speaking and taking photos alongside Gustavo Kuerten and former Spanish tennis player David Ferrer.
The Rio Open management claims that the 10th edition was a success, with attendance records broken, not to mention the positive results among Brazilian tennis players in the tournament. A novelty that caught the attention of many people was the first wheelchair tennis doubles tournament won by the British Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid. They got the better of the Japanese Shingo Kunieda and the Brazilian Daniel Rodrigues by closing the game in 2 sets to 0. After the game, Daniel said he was happy and excited to participate in the first edition of the competition and see the PwD audience (Person with Deficiency). In the Wheelchair Tennis Elite singles final, Alfie Hewett defeated compatriot Gordon Reid 2 sets to 0 (with a double 6/3). Now the expectation is for a similar women’s tournament to be held in Brazil in the next editions of the ATP in Brazil.
Source: Agência Brasil
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